Today was a good day of cycling through the South Dakota countryside. It is humid and there was even a fog warning until 9am. After that it became much sunnier. So far no complaints on roads in South Dakota as I was on both smaller country roads and a section of larger road.

The Sturgis motorcycle rally starts this weekend. I met a few motorcyclists in the motel and saw some on the road, but nothing abnormal. These folks were also talking about rain, but fortunately for us, it stayed dry. It might be wet further west in the state.

Starting out. Not completely sure what road breakup means but this section didn’t have more cracks than normal.

Large impressive church in Jefferson

It took these sheep a little bit, but then they lined up to watch me take their photo.

Elk Point has wide streets but not much commerce to use them.

In Elk Point I found a state map for my front map pocket. I also got a cap with a brim to put underneath my helmet.

Small country roads brought me past Burbank where a birthday party is coming this weekend.

Interesting to see a few alternating rows of taller and shorter corn.

After the town of Vermillion I tried the main road for a bit. It stayed with a large wide shoulder and not much traffic.

These barns hold a lot of hay.

After Gayville I went through town and back on country roads.

Unfortunate signs.

Letting the hay dry.

Yankton was a larger town and a good place to stop after a nice ride mostly west through South Dakota. I’ve been listening to my audio book on the Lewis and Clark expedition. After a lot of interesting background information, I am just about to the point they will come through this area. However, for this part of the journey they were in boats on the Missouri River and I really didn’t see the river at all today. i do notice that a bicycle traveling over paved roads covers more distance per day than they did by boat.